Visiting Japantown, LA
March 4, 2013
I played tourist with some friends a while ago in Japantown… then I realized that I don’t live in Southern California anymore. I really am a tourist! So out came the camera.
There was a festival of some sort going on in the center of the plaza, so people and food stalls lined the walkways, ringing in the entertainment “venue”.Ā There were so many Japanese pastries and treats!Ā And cute little knickknacks that I’d never look at twice if it weren’t for the holidaying atmosphere. I had to stop myself from buying completely unnecessary things like (enormous) stuffed critters for Doggle to snuggle.
For the record: when you forgot to pack your bottled water, in genuine LA heat, cold bottled water for a dollar a bottle is very much not a ripoff.
This is where I got to try revolving belt sushi for the first time. You might think such a thing was terrible or you know, no more than a novelty to entertain children, perhaps, and you’d be half right. I was hugely entertained and it was actually pretty tasty.
The key was probably that they did a brisk business and so the sushi on the belts was constantly turning over. It’s no ridiculously good fancy-schmancy sushi, but it’s more than good enough to fill an empty roving touristy belly with a range of basic sushi options and a few delicacies like snow crab and toro.
Such a lovely way to top off a day with friends.
Sushi trains are fun! Gimmicky perhaps, but fun. I’ve only been to places like that 2-3 times, though as you say turnover is key.
They really are, aren’t they? The thrill of the “hunt” right from your seat! š
Good to know! Me and the BF are thinking of visiting California this summer and that place sounds neat š
You should also try Mexican food near Union Station – Olvera Street has some ridiculously good restaurants. If you like Mexican food, that is.
Is Japantown different from Little Tokyo?
Last time we went to Little Tokyo we ended up eating Korean food just on the outskirts. And getting ice cream mochis. Nom.
They’re the same – Japantown is the more general name for the large population of Japanese populations which apparently only exists as an official designation for a few places but it’s also known as Little Tokyo.
There are also amazing macaroons nearby!
Now that you mention it… I don’t think I’ve been to a restaurant with a sushi train yet. o___o? Probably a good thing though… I’d be chasing lil sushi plates all over the restaurant.
No, it’s super worth it. Pick a corner seat so you have two chances to grab š